Safety razor blade sharpening machine



Sept, 19, 19336 F. w. QQCHRANE 1,927,392

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE SHARPENING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 gm IMIHII Sept. 19, 1933. F. w. COCHRANE SAFETY RAZOR BLA DE SHARPENING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925- 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. '19, 1933 F, w, Q HRANE 1,927,392

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE SHARPBNING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 19, 1933. F. w. COCHRANE 1,927,392,

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE SHARPENING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 1933. P. w. COCHRANE 1,927,392

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE SHARPENING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 9 53 g 79 191 41 0 0 F4 40 l I I 1 74 g l o 52 45* 1,9 I 15 02)) 22 "3; By a) Sept. 19, 1933. F, COCHRANE 1,927,392

SAFETY RAZOR BLADE SHARPENING MACHINE Original Filed Sept. 19. 1925 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 ii-ed W [3051 0219 patented Sept. 19; 1933 PATENT orrics SAFETY 'RAZOR; BLADE SHARPENING I MACHINE Fred W. Cochrane, Los Angeles, Calif assignor to Triphon D. Heyl, Walnut Park, Calif.

Continuation of application Serial No. 57,276, September 19, 1925. This application May 19, 1928. Serial No. 279,089

"24 Claims. (01: 51-s0) This invention relates to a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, and more particularly pertains to a blade sharpening machine .of the type set forth in my copending application for Letters Patent, filed September -19, 1925, Serial No. 57,276 of whichthis is a continuation; in which safety razor blades are automatically delivered to blade holders on an endless conveyor and advanced by the latter to a series of blade. Sharpeners and being automatically"discharged after being worked.

The primaryobject of, the invention is the provision of a mechanism which is capable of sharpening razor blades on a large scale, whereby a great number of razor blades may be sharpened by a single machine within a short time, and whereby such blades may be sharpened at small cost.

"Another object is to provide a safety. razor blade sharpening machine, which is especially applicable for use in re-sharpening old or used safety blades, and'which is capable of handling the various sizes and types of safety razor blades now generally in use, and which is adapted to effect sharpening of either single or, double edged razor blades.

Another object is to provide a machineof the above character in which the blades to be sharpened are fed by an endless conveyor to a series of hones and strops insuch mannner, as to be quickly and properly. sharpened while beingadvanced; a particular object being to provide a means whereby the razor blades advanced by the conveyor may be automatically ejected therefrom after being once carried, into ccntact with the series of hones and strops, but is capableof being operated,in the case of double edged blades, to automatically invert the blades. after one of the edges thereof has been sharpened-and again convey the blades to the hones and strops to sharpen the other edges ofthe, blades before effecting their ejection. 1 V s Another object is to provide a means for carrying the blades on an endless conveyor, together with an efiicacious means for delivering the razor blades thereto, and to provide a means whereby the razor blades will be accurately. positioned and aligned on the carrying means so as to insure the I cutting edges thereof being properly; positioned relatively to the sharpened devices, and which will function in handling bladesof various types and sizes without adjustment of the mechanism.

Another object is toprovide an eflicient and dependable mechanism foroperating and automatically controlling the blade feeding, conveying, sharpening and ejecting elements of the machine.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with such other objects and advantages as may subsequently appear, the invention resides generally in the provision of an endless conveyorcarrying-a plurality of razor blade carriers,'with means for-automatically delivering blades to'the carriers and positioning the blades thereon, and in the provision of a series of rotary hones and strops so arranged that the blades on the carriers will be subjected to the action thereof, while be-- ing advanced by the endless conveyor, and with means for eifecting ejection of the blades from the carriers after being sharpened; the invention'further residingin the parts and'features, and in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated by way of example in the. accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view with portions removed..-

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the electromechanical portions of the machine, with their several circuits. a

Fig. 3 is the view in side elevation; r

Fig. 4 is a detail. in'plan partly in section as seen on the line l-4 of Fig. 3, illustrating the construction and arrangement of the sharpening roller.

Fig.v 5 is a detail in cross section as seen on the line 5--5. of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the machine taken on the line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is a rear end view of the machine. I

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective illustrating a portion of the-front end of the machine.

Fig. 9 isa plan view of the blade feeding mechanism.

Fig. '10 is a detail of the loading and aligning 95 mechanism as viewed on the line 10-10'of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective as seen on the line 11-+11 of Fig. 9. I L I Fig. 12 is a view in longitudinal section of the 1 blade feeding mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a detail in horizontal section as seen on the line 1313 of Fig. 8.

' Fig. 14 is a perspective View of the blade discharge mechanism as seen in direction of the arrow 14 in Fig. 8. V

Fig. 15 is a perspective View of the mechanism for releasing a blade engaging jaw on a blade carrier.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of themechanism for moving a blade engaging jaw to its blade engaging position.

Fig. 1'7 is a diagram in perspective of the blade loading control mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a view in elevation and section as seen on the line 18l8 of Fig. 17 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 19 is a detail diagrammatic section taken on the line 19l9 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 20 is a View of one of the blade carriers as seen in front elevation. r

Fig. 21 is a view in section taken on the line 21-2l of Fig. 29, showing the blade clamping jaw in its closed position.

Fig. 22 is a detail in section showing the blade clamping jaw in its open position. i

Fig. 23 is a detail in horizontal section as seen. on the line 2323 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 24 is a detail in elevation of the endless conveyor.

Fig. 25 is a detail in section taken on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24.

Fig. 26 (sheet 4) is a detail horizontal section of the endless conveyor as seen on the line 26-26 of Fig. 7. Fig. 27 is a detail in horizontal section of a blade wiper as seen on the lines 2727 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings more specifically, in which corresponding reference characters indi cate corresponding parts throughout the several views, indicates a base plate carrying the entire apparatus, which latter includes in its ensemble a series of blade sharpening devices indicated generally at 36, 37, 3S and 39, consisting of pairs of continuously revoluble stropping and honing rolls; a horizontal intermittently movable endless conveyor 49, carried on wheels 41, 42, 43 and 44 arranged at four corners of a rectangle,

mounted in suitable bearings and spaced above 401 the base plate 35; and a series of safety razor blade carriers is depending from the endless conveyor l0, adapted on travel of the latter to pass the blades carried thereby successively to the blade sharpening rolls. The mechanism further embodies at the forward end of the machine, as

shown in Figs. 8 and 9, a blade feeding mechanism 46; a blade loading device 47; a blade aligning device 48 and a blade unloading device 49, together with means'for operating and automatically controlling same as will hereinafter be more fully described. Other parts and features incorporated in the machine will be set forth in the following description.

The endless conveyor comprises a flexible sheet metal band 50, from the inner face of which projects at spaced intervals tapered projections 51 as shown in Fig. 25, which are engaged by correspondingly shaped recesses 52 formed in the peripheries of the band carrying wheels. This band not being subject to material stretch. serves to maintain the blade carriers thereon in proper spaced relation.

Each of the blade carriersembodies a head block 53 formed with a longitudinal recess 54 on its back to receive the band 50, and which is secured to the band by a single bolt 55 arranged intermediate the ends of the head, whereby the band is permitted to bend and conform to the periphery of the wheels as it passes there around; the bolt 55 having a tapered head 56in complement with the projections 51, and forming with the latter regularly spaced teeth for engagement with the wheels. The margins of the recess 54 are adapted to overlie the marginal portions of the upper and lower faces of the band carrying wheels as indicated in Fig. 21 and co'-' operate with the projections on the band in positioning the latter on the wheels.

lhe bolt 55 is detachably connected to the head block 53 by means of a nut 55 and which is screwed on the bolt and is countersunk into a recess on the outer face of the head block.

Depending from the head 53 is a shank 57, the lower end of which constitutes a fixed jaw member 58 and hinged on the shank is a movable jaw member 59, which embodies a leaf 60 formed with spaced ears 61, hinged on a pivot pin 62 carried by ears on the shank 57. Pivoted on the pin 62 is an upwardly extending arm 63 capable of movement independent of the leaf 60, on which arm. is mounted a plate spring 64 arranged to bear against the outer face of leaf 69. A spring 65 coiled on the pivot pin 62 bears between the shank 57 and the underside of leaf 60 to normally maintain the latter against the spring 64, and which spring cooperates in effecting opening of the movable jaw. The spring 64 serves as a means for clamping the movable jaw against a razor blade seating on the fixed jaw, and serves to compensate for various thicknesses of blades.

The jaws 58 and 59 extend vertically with their lengths extending in the direction of the leads of the conveyor belt, and the jaw 59 swings vertically to and from its closed position, and when open, permits the placing of a razor blade flatwise against the fixed jaw member.

The contiguous lower marginal faces of the jaws'58 and 59 are surfaced with yieldable pads 58 and 59' respectively for afiording a secure frictional grip of the razor blade interposed therebetween.

Pivotally connecting with the upper end of the arm 63 are toggle-links 66 and 67, connected together by a rule joint 68; the outer end of the link 67 being fixedly connected to one end of a rocker arm 69 pivoted at '70 on the back of the shank 5'7. The outer end of the rocker arm 69 is fitted with a roller 71. The rocker arm 69 and toggle-link, together with the arm 63 are employed for the purpose of effecting operation of the blade clamping movable jaw 59 as will be later described. The movable jaw 59' is designed when in its openposition to extend substantially horizontal and at right angles to the fixed jaw 58; a pin 72 on the arm 63 being arranged to abut against the outer faces of shank'57 to limit opening movement of the jaw. The shank 57 is formed with a slot '73 through which the connection between the rocker arm and the movable jaw extends. Carried on the shank 57, above the slot '73 is a manually adjustable stem 7 4, the shank of which is slidably fitted in a bore 75 formed in the shank 57, and being provided with a plurality of spaced annular channels 76 adapted to be engaged by a ball detent 77 whereby the stem '74 may be frictionally held in either an advanced or retracted position. The outer end of the stem '74 is provided with a head 78 whereby it may be manually pressed to advance the stem 74 in disposing the inner end thereof to project from the inner face of the shank 57, whereby this inner end portion of the stem 74 will be caused to automatically operate a blade transfer control mechanism as the carrier advances, and which will be hereafter more fully described.

Encompassing the leads of the endless conveyor extending between the supporting wheels are tubes '79 formed with longitudinal open ended slots extending along the under sides thereof, through which tubes the head blocks on the blade moves into the blade picking-up position.

carriers pass in slidable contact; hese tubes serving as tracks to support the conveyor and the blade carriers at points between th wheels.

Any suitable number of t re blade carriers may be mounted on the endless conveyor according to the size of the machine, which in turn, may be of any desired capacity within practical limits; the machine being here shown as provided with thirty-four of such blade carriers, but obviously this number may be materially increased to obtain greater capacity.

As a means for advancing the endless conveyor with a step-by-step, or intermittent movement, the wheel 41 is fixed on a vertical shaft 81 as shown in Fig. 8 on the lower end of which is fixed a ratchet wheel 82 with which is engageable a pawl 83 on a rocker arm 84 actuated by a reciprocal shaft 85, one end of which is connected to the rocker arm 84 by a ball and socket joint 86, and the other end of which leads to an operating mechanism to be later described, whereby on reciprocation of the stem 85, the pawl 83 will, on oscillation of the arm 8%, rotate the wheel 82 and its associated parts with an intermittent movement.

The blades to be sharpened are automatically delivered to the carriers, while the latter are stationary, by the loading device 4'7, when the carrier to be loaded is positioned at a loading point, and after being worked, are discharged from the carrier when it reaches an unloading point tov be either discharged from the machine as by an endless conveyor 11?. or transferred to another carrier for further working with the aid of the unloading device 49.

The loading and unloading devices are located at the forward end of the machine as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and embody a pair of electro-mag nets A and B, respectively, mounted in suitable box-like housings arranged on a common plane immediately back of the path of travel or the fixed jaw member of the blade carri r, the nets being adapted on being energized tohold razor blades against the fixed jaw members in the'operation of positioning a blade between the jaw members or removing the blade. therefrom while the movable jaws are open. blades 85' to be shapened may be piled in a feed-box 86' as shown in Fig. 12, a weight 87. The feed-box 86' is detachable so that it may be replaced with a box to fit the particular style of blade to be sharpened. A feeder 83 is arranged to reciprocate below the pile of blades and has a shoulder 88 which on each reciprocation of the feeder will withdraw a blade from the pile and move it to the exterior or" the box 86 into a horizontal position at a point on a. plane below the magnets A and B and spaced forward of the magnets'on a line eizteneing mid-way therebetween. The blade, when thus positioned, is momentarily held stationary and is then picked up by an electro-magnet C on an oscillating feeder arm 90 ca ried on a vertically extending rock-shaft 91. The feeder bar 88 is engaged by a pin 92 on'a slide block 93 carried on a guideway 94 and which slide block is reciprocated horizontally through a pitman 95; and the rock-shaft 91 is oscillated through the medium of a reciprocal toothed rack 96 engaging a pinion 97 on the rock-shaft, by a mechanism later .10 be hereinafter described. The movement of the feeder 88 and the arm 90 are so relatively timed that a blade will be fed from the box 86 and disposed to be picked up by the magnet C as the latter In The 1 blade must be turn d from a horizontal to a ver tical position in efiecting its transfer f om its feeding platform to the blade carrier. For this purpose, the magnet C is revolubly supported by rotatably mounting the arm 99 wh ah is journalled in a bearing 9? on the upper end of the shaft 91, and mounted on the arm 90, is a mutilated gear 98, shown in 11, which is engaged by a tooth 99 on a segment 100 in such manner asto effect rotation of the gear 93 and of the arm 90, one-fourth of a revolution the ar; 9O swings between the magnet A and the blade carrying platform. V

The magnet C is also designed-to swing between the magnet E and the carrying platform and to there be turned-a quarter of a revolution, for which purpose the segment 10% is provided with a tooth oi as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 9. This movement of the magnet C to the magnet B occurs only when it is desired to effect transfer of the from one blade carrier to another, ere a do b edged blade is being worked and it is required to reverse the blade to present its unsharpened edge for treatment. The magnet C is also or.

' a box-like housing and is presented to the side thereof indicated by the arrow (3, and the nets A and B extend horizontally andare presented toward the front of their active housings. The. magnets A 33 are to loading and unloading magnets and the mast C termed a feeding magnet. An aligning magnet l) is also provided, which co: see an electromagnet arranged in a box-like hingedly mounted at 1G2 beneath a operable to swing vertically and to p oject forwardlyimmediately beneath the housing of the magnet Aythe magnet D being presented to the top face of its housing and operable to draw a razor blade deposited in front of the magnot A, downwardly, to dispose the cutting edge of the blade against the top or gauge face of the housing of the magnet 33 to thereby effect aligning of the blade.

posed in a downwardly inclined position as indithe blade loading operation, so as to be clear of a bl do being advanced towards the magnet and is been deier in the dotted lines after the posited against the fixed front of the magnet A to ng position through the medium of reciprcc bar 163, the operation of which will be later described.

The magnets A, B, C and D be of any suitable construction not necessary to be here shown, each having one of its terminals grounded and being provided with a terminal connecting with electrical conductors b, c and d, through which electrical current is directed to the magnets through the medium of a distributor E shown in Fig. 2,- and which may be of any suitable construction.

Energizing of the magnet D is effected through bei the medium of a spring contact h on the housing of the magnet D and a contact member 1' on the housing of the magnet A; the contacts h and i being so disposed that when the magnet D is in its depressed position, the circuit through the contacts h and i will be broken, but when the ma net D is disposed in its elevated position, the circuit through the latter will be closed. This arrangernent insures proper timing of the energizing and deenergizing or" the magnet D. The conductor d leads to the distributor E from the contact member On positioning and aligning the razor blade on the jaw 58, the movable jaw 59 is moved thereagainst by effecting a downward pull on the rocker arm 69 to move it from the position shown in Fig. 22 to that shown in Fig. 21, which operation is effected by means of a vertical reciprocal bar 105 particularly shown in Fig. 16. This bar is arranged rearward of the magnet A and is slidably supported in guides 106 and 107. The upper end of the bar is fitted with a head 108 on which is pivoted a depending arm 169 having an arcuate transverse channel 110 on its lower end arranged to receive and conform to the perimeter of the roller 71, which roller moves into a position within or below the channel 110 on advance of the blade carrier and being disposed to seat in the channel when the carrier comes to rest. A spring 111 acts to normally maintain the arm 109 in position to align the channel 110 with the roller 71 on the advancing carrier.

At a properly timed interval, the bar 105 is pulled downwardly by means of a lever 112, whereby the engaged arm 69 is rocked to spread the toggle-links 66 and 67 and thereby advance the movable jaw to its closed blade engaging position; the toggle-links advancing sufficiently far beyond center, limited by their rule-joint connection, to automatically lock the jaw 59 in its closed position. In this closing of the jaw 59, the plate spring 104 presses under tension against the movable jaw and thereby clamps the razor blade in place.

Opening of the jaw 59 is effected when the blade carrier comes to rest in front of the unloading magnet B by means of a vertically reciprocal bar 114, particularly shown in Fig. 15, which is arranged rearward of the magnet B and is slidably supported in guides 115 and 116. The upper end or" the bar 114 is fitted with a head 117 having an upwardly inclined concave channel 118 on its upper face into or above which the roller 71 on the arm 69 is advanced as the carrier comes to rest. The bar 114 is then moved upwar y by the action of a lever 119 to rock the arm 6;, and thereby break the toggle-links 66 and 67, which together with the spring 65 efiects opening of the jaw. As a means for preventing chatter, such as might be occasioned by the opening of the jaw, and wh ch might result in displacement of the razo elade then held against the fixed jaw by the magnet B, the roller 71 in moving upwardly impacts against the core 120 of a solenoid magnet F, the coil of which is wound in series with the coils of magnet 13 so as to energize the core 120 during the time the magnet 13 is energized; the core 1 0 during this interval grabhing the roller and thus holding the open jaw and its carrier against vibration. Arranged in the path of an advanced stem 74 on a blade carrier is a star wheel 121, (see Fig. 14) which is atto a rotary selector G.

The selector G carries two rows of spaced segmental contacts 1 and m, which contacts are arranged with those in one row offset or staggered in relation to those in the other row. Electrical current is directed to the selector segments 1 and m through a conductor 11 leading from the distributor E and connecting with a wiper contact 0 on the distributor.

The selector G serves as a means actuated by and cooperating with the manually adjusted stems 74 on the carriers for controlling the extent of the swing, of the loading magnet C on each cycle of operation of the latter; it normally permitting the magnet C to swing on its half stroke and on being operated by a stem 74 to permit the magnet to swing its full stroke.

A pair of spring contacts [2 and q are arranged to eiiect electrical connection with the segments Z and m to alternately direct electrical current to each of the coils 7' and s of a double solenoid magnet, indicated generallyat H, through conductors t and u leading to the coils 7 and s and connecting with one of the terminals thereof; the other terminals of the coils being grounded. The contact p normally closes the circuit through the solenoid coil 1', which circuit however is broken as the selector G is revolved by movement of the star wheel 121 when engaged by a stem 74, and opens the circuit to thecoil r each time the circuit through the coil 5 is closed by the contact q. A mechanism controlling the length of travel of the blade loading arm and its magnet is controlled by the solenoid H, whereby a short stroke is imparted to the rack bar 96 to move the loading arm on its half stroke, when the coil 2' is energized, and whereby a long stroke is im parted to the rack bar 96 to impart a full stroke to the loading arm, when the solenoid coil s is energized.

This mechanism particularly shown in Fig. 6 and illustrated diagrainatically in Fig. 17, embodies a pair of independently reciprocal bars 125 and 126 mounted in spaced parallel relation in a guide block 127 and between the outer ends of which the rack bar 96 projects; the bar 96 being designed to be engaged with either of the bars 125 and 126 by means of a pin 128 projecting from opposite sides of the bar 96 and adapted to be projected into openings 129 and 130 in the bars by shifting the slide block 127 laterally. The bars 125 and 126 connect with straps 131 and 132 respectively, which are engaged and actuated by small and large cams 133 and 134 splined on a continuously revolvable cam-shaft 135, whereby the bars 125 and 126 are continuously reciprocated with a bar 125 having a short stroke, and the bar 126 having a long stroke.

The guide block 127 is shifted laterally by means of a lever 136 pivoted at 137, and having its outer end engaged in either of two circumferential channels 138 and 139 formed on a drum 140 keyed on a continuously revolvable shaft 141; the channels 138 and 139 being separated by a rib 142 fitted with a cross over 143 operable to direct the lever 136 into either of the drum channels. The cross over arm 143 is fixed on a turnable pin 144 as shown in Fig. 18, which pin is engaged and is actuated by a reciprocal bar 145 projecting longitudinally through the drum in slidable relation thereto. Mounted beneath the drum 140 is a slide 146 having upstanding end flanges 147 and 148 formed with beveled forward edges; the flanges extending astride the lower portion of the drum and being adapted on shifting of the slide 146 to dispose the inclined edge of either of the flanges in the path of travel of a projecting-end of the bar 145, so as to shift the latter and throw the cross-over arm 143 to one side or the other, to project across either of the-drum channels, according to the positioning of the slide 146. Movement of the slide is eifected by means of a lever 149. pivoted at 150, one end'of which is pivotally connected to the slide and the other end of which connects with a bar 151 interposed between fired cores 2) and w arranged in the solenoid coils r and s. Energizing of the coil r positions the bar 151 as shown in Fig. 17, which disposes the slide 146 so that the flange 148 will shift the bar to inove the cross-over arn'i 143 across the channel 139, which positions one end of lever 186 in the channel 138 and thereby V I shifting the guide block 127 to lose the op- 129 in the .bar 125 in engagement with the pin 128 on the rack bar 96.

a On energizing the coil 8, the bar is advanced toward. the core w and thereby shifts the the guide block 127 tomove the bar 126 into engagenient with the pin 128 on the rack bar 96, and

at the same time disengage the'latter from the bar 125.

As a means for locking the slide 146 against -ac- 'cidental movement in either of its positions. a

rocker arin152 pivoted on a fixed standard 153 has one end engaged by'the channel in the drum 149 engaging the lever 136, and has its outer en connecting .with theupper end of a rocker. arm 158 pivoted at 154 which carries 7 a spring pressed block 155 bearing on atiltable catch 156 supported on the pivot 154, the ends of which catch are adapted to be alternately engaged with either of upstanding lugs 157 and 158 on a saddle 159 carried on the lever 149; the catch 156 being rocked by transfer of the lever 152 from one channel of the drum to the other to effect engagement with the saddle and thereby hold the lcver'149 against ,nioveinent in one direction.

The guide block 127. also carries .a reciprocal bar 169, one end of which is slidably connected to a pin 161 on a link 162, connecting with a rocker arin' 163 carrying a pawl 164 engaging a ratchet wheel 165 on a shaft 166 carrying a roller 167, around which passes the endless belt 113. The other end of the bar 160 connects with a strap 168,engaged and operated by a earn 169 on the shaft 135, whereby rotation of the latter will effect step-'by-step movement of the belt 113. The can1s133, 134 and 169 are splined on the shaft 135 to move longitudinally thereon on shifting of the guide block 127.

The shafts l-5 and 141 extend in parallel spaced relation and: are driven continuously through a suitable connection from a shaft 170 shown in Fig. 6, which shaft in turn is driven from a shaft 171, shown in Fig. 3, driven through a belt 172 from a suitable source of power, such an electric motor. The shaft 141 as shown in Fig. J with a pair of cams 173 and 174 arranged toactuate the levers 112 and 119 respectively, actuating the vertically reciprocal 1G5 and 114 shown in Figs. 16 and 15. The lever 112 is pivoted'at 175 and the lever 119 is pivoted at 176. The shaft 141 also carries a coin at 177 operating a rocker arm 1'78, to the upper end of which is connected the pitman 95 for actuating the blade feeder bar 88, and also carries a cam 179 for actuating a rocker 'arin 186 connecting with the bar 85 which actuates the ratchet wheel 82 and drives the endless conveyor carrying the blade holders.

The shaft 135 is fitted with a cam 181, which actuates the bar 103 for operatingthe swinging blade-aligning magnet D.

Arranged on the rear end of the machine as particularly shown in Figs. 7 and 27, is a blade cleaning devica'indicated generally at 182, which embodies as shown in Fig. 27 a pair of fabric belts 133 and 184, having portions which lead in contact with each other between a pair of spring plates 185, and arranged so .that the projecting edges of the razor blades on the carriers will e between the belts after being worked he rollers 186 and 137 and be wiped free of The is s are supported on a series n and are directedthrough abath in a reservoir 186 and being passed over dirt pulleys 187 on a shaft 188 driven by a belt and pulley connection 189 from the shaft 196, which in turn is driven from the shaft 141 by suitable gear connections.

Arranged at the forward end of the machine, and disposed on a plane above and forward of the magnets A and B, as: shown in Fig. 8, is a pair of fixed depending hangers 191 and 192 suitably carried on the. machine frame which embodies the tubes 79, the lower end of which hangers are fitted with shoes 193 and 194 arranged on the inner faces of the hangers and loosely supported thereon; there being cushions 195 and 196 interposed between the shoes and hangers which yieldably oppose movement of the shoes outwardly toward the hangers. These shoes are arranged to bear against the outer faces of thehangers 45 as the latter pass in front of the magnets A and B and serve to frictionally engage the hangers and to press them against the magnets to. hold the hangers against swinging movement during the blade loading and unloading operations.

Each of the sharpening rollers is constructed and mounted as shownin Figs. 4 and 5 and embodies a cylindrical shell 290, having a spiral rib 201 on its outer periphery,'which rib is formed throughout its length with a series of spaced recesses 292, in which are cemented plugs 203 of leather, or similar material; and extending over the'ribs and cemented to the plugs 203 are facing strips 294' formed of leather or similar material, the outer face of which is formed, in the case of the rollers 36and 87 to effect a honing action, and in the case of the rollers 38 and 39, to effect a stropping action. The cylinder 200 lSEtfiiXEd on a shaft 205, revolvably supported at its ends in suitable bearings, indicated generally at 206 and 207. The contiguous rollers of each pair are formed with their spirals extending in opposite directions with the spiral on one roller projecting into the space between the spiralsof the contiguous roller as shown in Fig; 4. These spirals work the cutting edges of the razor blades as the latter pass longitudinallythere-between;- the rollers being revolved so that the leads of the spirals will pass downwardly over the depending cutting edges of the blades in a manner to effect proper sharpening of the latter. Suitable guides 208 are carried on the bearings 206 and 207, to direct the blades on the carriers between the sharpening rollers.

Driving of the sharpening rollers is efieoted through the medium of a pair of parallel shafts 210 and 211 shown in Fig. 1 which extend transversely of the machine in parallel relation and are separatelydriven from any suitable source of power through belts 212 and 213, respectively. The end portions of the shaft 210 are connected by suitable gears arranged in. the bearings 207 to the pairs of rollers 36 and 39, and the shaft 211 is connected at its end portions through suitable gears with the pairs of rollers 37 and 38; the gear connections between the shaft 211 and said rollers being arranged in the bearings 207 of the latter. It is obvious that any suitable driving mechanism may be employed for effecting rotation of the several shafts and that any desired operable arrangement of the driving shafts may be employed. It is also obvious that any suitable frame work may be erected from the base to support the superstructure of the machine; this frame work being here shown as embodying standards 214, which carry cross-pieces 215 at their upper ends on which the tubes '79 are supported and which standards also afford supports for the bearings 206 and 207 of the sharpening rollers.

In the operation of the invention the main drive shaft 1'71 is set in motion to effect continuous rotation of the parallel shafts 135 and 141; the shaft 141 operating through the cam 179 to actuate the rocker arm 180 to effect reciprocation of the bar 85 and thereby rotate the ratchet wheel 82 through the medium of i the pawl 33 with a step-by-step movement. This turning of the ratchet wheel 82 effects intermittent rotation of the shaft 81 which drives the wheel 41 and thereby operates to advance the endless conveyor around the wheels 41, 42,

43 and 44; the conveyor being brought to rest on the feeder bar one at a time by hand, or through the medium of the automatic feed embodying the box 86 and the weight 87. Where the automatic feed is employed, advanced movement of the feeder bar 88 will cause the shoulder 88 on the upper face thereof projecting rear" wardly of the lowermost blade when the feeder bar 88 is in its retracted position to engage the lower blade of the stack of blades 85' and advance the blade to the pick-up position as indicated at f in Fig. 9. If the blades are fed by hand they are positioned one at a tme on the feeder bar in front of the shoulder 88 when the feeder bar is disposed in its retracted position. The feeder bar is designed to come to rest for an interval in its advanced or forwardmost position so as to dispose the blade 1 thereon in position to be picked up by the feeding magnet C. During this operation the arm 90 carrying the magnet C is swung to a position to dispose the face C of the magnet over the advanced blade I through the medium of the toothed rack 96 which is engaged with the pinion 97 on the rock shaft 91 carrying the arm 90; the toothed rack 96 being then engaged by the slide bar 125 which is reciprocated by the cam 133 on the continuously revolving shaft 135, and the magnet C being turned by the mutilated gear 98 on the arm 90 being engaged by the tooth 99 on the segment 100 as the arm 90 swings to its intermediate position away from the magnet A. The magnet C on being positioned over the blade f, as indicated by the dotted line g in Fig. 9, and brought to a stop at this point, is then energized through the medium of the distributor E and thereupon picks up the blade f which is thus annexed to the face C of the magnet. The arm 90 with the magnet C is then swung toward the magnet A and is turned by the tooth 99 to present the blade vertically towards the magnet A. In the meantime, a blade carrier has been advanced by the conveyor 40 and brought to rest with the fixed jaw 58 thereof disposed in front of the magnet A and with the movable jaw 59 in its open position; the latter being previously swung upwardly by reason of the arm 69 being engaged and rocked by the head 117 on the reciprocal bar 114 on upward movement of the latter by action of the cam 1'74 on the shaft 141 as before described. The blade carried forward by the magnet C is positioned againstthe outer face of the fixed jaw 58 whereupon the magnet A is energized and the magnet C coincidentally de-energized, which effects transfer of the blade from the magnet C to the fixed jaw of the blade carrier; the blade being then held against the fixed jaw by attraction'of the magnet A. The housing of the magnet D is then swung upwardly and acts, in event the razor blade projects too low beneath the carrier, to shove the blade upwardly.

This upward movement of the housing of the magnet D is effected by the cam 181 on the shaft 135 acting on the bar 103; the cam being so formed and arranged on the shaft 135 as to advance the bar 103 and swing the housing of the magnet D upwardly while the blade carrier is stationary and immediately after the blade has been deposited thereon, and while the movable jaw of the carrier is in its open position.

The magnet D is then energized through the medium of the distributor E and the contacts h and i, and if necessary, acts to draw the blade downwardly against the upper face of its hous ing into the aligned position. The potential of the magnet D is greater than that of the magnet A, and accordingly while the magnet A holds the blade against the carrier jaw, the magnet D may pull the blade downwardly.

The movable jaw 59 is then closed against the blade held on the jaw 58 by the magnet A which is effected through the medium of the bar 105, which is then moved downwardly to cause the arm 109 thereon to engage the roller '71 on the arm 69 and swing the arm 69 downwardly and thereby act through the toggle links 66 and 6'! to clamp the jaw 59 against the blade and thereby securely hold it in place on the blade carrier; the bar 105 being actuated by the cam 1'73 on the shaft 141 rocking the lever 112 connected to the bar 105, which occurs while the blade carrier is stationary.

The razor blade when in position between the jaws will be disposed with its lower cutting edge projecting below the lower margins of the jaws, in which position the lower margin of the blade will be on a horizontal plane extending diametrically through the sharpening rolls 36, 37, 38 and 39. After the razor blade has thus been positioned in the jaws of the carrier, the latter is advanced with a step by step movement, thus conveying the razor blade to the series of sharpening rolls and passing it successively between the pairs of revolving honing rolls 36 and 37, the belts 183 and 184 of the blade cleaner 182, and the stropping rolls 38 and 39; the rolls operating to effect sharpening of the blade as before desubjected to astropping action on passing be tween the rollers 38 and 39.

When the can supporting the sharpened blade returns to the front end of the machine,

it comes to rest in front of the magnet B, as shown in Fig. whereupon the magnet B is energized throughthe medium of the selector E and the movable jaw of the carrier is opened by the action of 114 onthe jaw operat" ing ar1n"69; magnet B holding the blade in place against the fixed jaw'58 of the carrier, for an intervalafter the movable jaw has opened to sup port the blade 3. sufiicient length of time to permit the loading magnet C to swing toward the magnet B to the dotted line position indicated is in Fig. 9 when it is desired to effect transfer of the blade from the carrier in front of the magnet B to another carrier in front of the magnet A, as where double-edged blades'are being worked.

In the initial loading of the carriers, the feeding magnet C swings on its arm between the blade carrying platform and the receiving or loading magnet A as before described; this operation continuing during the feed of double-edged blades, in the latter instance when the carrier with a double edged blade thereon is initially positioned in front of the unloading magnet 13, the feedingmagnet C is swung to'the position Ic in front of magnet B to effect removal of the blade from the carrier disposed opposite the magnet B. To efiect this operation, the operator advances the push stem 74 on, each carrier to which a double-edged blade is delivered so that the inner end of the stem 74 will, as it advances to the unloading position shown' in Fig. 14, engage the starwheel 121, and thereby rotatc the selector G; so as to move the latter a partial revolution to close contacts m and q and thereby cause, en rgization of the coil 3 of the, solenoid 1-1, which attracts the core 151 and thereface C being presented to the blade in front of magnet 33 by the tooth 101 engaging the. gear 98and turning the shaft 90.; The magnet B is deenergized the moment the magnet C is positioned against the blade to be transferred, and at which time the magnet C-is energized so as to annex theblade and convey to another carrier which in the meantime has been advanced opposite the magnet A; the teeth 1G1 and 99 acting on the gear 93- and shaft 9% to turn the magnet C to present the bla thereon to the magnet A. In this transfer of the blade, the latter is reversed as to dispose when againengagcd by a carrier.

This movement of the selector to energize the coil 5 is effected as the store. it advances against the star wheel 121 just before the blade carrier comes to. rest in front of the magnet B; the circu t being closed through the coil 2 while the carrier is at 1 .rest but as the'carrier advances from'in front of the magnet B the stem 74 continues movement subjected to a honing action on passing operate with a short stroke.

unsharpened edge lowermost of the star wheel 121 and selector G to break the contacts mand q and close contacts Z and whereby the coil 2" of the solenoid H is re-energized and acts to restore the core 15 to normal, which in turn'causes the toothed rack 96 to be re-engaged with the bar 125 so that it wil next The push stem 74. after operating the selector G is automatically restored to normal as the carrier 43 advances, by its projected inner end riding over an inclined plane 74' as shown in 13. It will now seen that transfer of a blade from one carrier to another while effected automatically is manually controlled through the medium of the push stems 74 on the individual carriers; and that such transfer only occurs when a push stem on a carrier has been advanced by the attendant into the star wheel and selector operating position. It follows that when a carrier moves to its position' in front of the magnet B with the push stem thereon retracted no operation of the transfer mechanism will be effected and accordingly on de-enereizing magnet B, which cost "5 while the movable jaw of the carrier is open, a blade on the carrier will be released and will drop onto the endless conveyor 113 for subsequent removal.

On ole-energizing of maget B the blade carrier is again advanced with the movable jaw open to its initial blade receiving. position in front of the magnet A.

The distributor Eis actuated by the shaft 141,

being revolved thereby to bring a series of com tact segments thereon in and out of timed electricalconnection with wiper contacts connecting with the conductors a, b, c and at leading to the electro-magnets A, B, C and D, whereby said magnets are energized ai ale-energised at the proper timed intervals in relation to the cam actuated mechanisms controlled by theshafts 135 and l ll; magnet C being energized when positioned to pick a blade from ei her the feeding platform or from the unloading magnet B and while being advanced to the magnet A, and bein (lo-energized immediately after energizing of magnet A which occurs when the blade is moved thereagainst'by magnet C; magnet B being en- ,ergized whenmoved to its elevated on and d e-energized when moved to its lowered positicn; magnet A being tie-energized when the jaws of the carrier opposite same are closed; and magnot B beingv energized immediately before opening of the jaw on the carrier in f ont thereof,

and being de-energized before said carrier ad-.

vances or when the magnet C is positioned to receive the blade from opposite the magnet 13.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention, 1 do not limit my selfto the exact details of construction and arrangement shown, but may employ such changes and modifications in the parts and their arrange.- ment as come within the scope of the appends claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, an endless conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blade rpening rollers beneath said conveyor, a series of depending blade carriers on said conveyor, blade clamping means on each of said, carriers for holding safety razor blades thereon in a position to present the blade edge to the sharpening rollers on vanceof the conveyor, magnetic means for load-- ing a blade in said blade clamping means, and means for automatically actuating said blade clamping means to free a blade held thereon after the blade has been sharpened by said sharpening rollers.

2, In a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, an endless conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blade sharpening rollers beneath said conveyor, a series of depending blade carriers on said conveyor, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw on each of said carriers, means for opening the movable jaw, magnetic means for feeding a blade between said jaws, and means for closing the movable jaw to engage the blade in said jaws in a position to present the cutting edge of the blade to the aarpening rollers on advance of the conveyor.

3. In a machine for sharpening safety razor lades, an endless conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blade sharpening rollers beneath said conveyor, a series of depending blade carriers on said conveyor, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw on each of said carriers, means for opening the movable jaw, magnetic means for positioning a blade between said jaws, a magnet for temporarily holding the blade between said jaws, means for closing the movable jaw, said means for opening the movable jaw being operable to free the blade after same has been sharpened by the sharpening rollers, and means embodied in each carrier operable to hold the movable jaw in either its open or closed position while the conveyor is advancing until said jaw is actuated by the jaw closing or opening means.

l. In a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, an endless conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blade sharpening rollers adjacent said conveyor, a series of depending blade carriers on said conveyor, a fixed jaw and a movable jaw on each of said carriers,

-means for opening the movable jaw, magnetic means for feeding a blade between said jaws, a magnet for temporarily holding the blade between said jaws, means for automatically aligning the blade while held by said magnet, and means for closing the movable jaw to engage the blade in said jaws in a position to present the cutting edge of the blade to the sharpening rollers on advance of the conveyor; said means for opening the movable jaw being operable to free the blade after same has been sharpened by the sharpening rollers.

5. In a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, an endless conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blade sharpening rollers beneath said conveyor, a series of depending blade carriers on said conveyor, means on each of said carriers for holding safety razor,

blades thereon in a position to present the blade edge to the sharpening rollers on advance of the conveyor, means for loading a blade in said holding means, means for automatically actuating said holding means to free the blade after same has been sharpened by said sharpening rollers, and means embodying said loading means for automatically transferring a blade from the holding means of one of said carriers to the holding means of another carrier.

6. In a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, an endless conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blade sharpening rollers adjacent said conveyor, a series of blade carriers on said conveyor, means on each of said carriers for holding safety razor blades thereon in a position to present the blade edge to the sharpening rollers on advance of the conveyor,

means for loading a blade in said holding means, means for automatically actuating said holding means to free a blade thereon after same has been sharpened by said sharpening rollers, transfer means for automatically transferring a blade from the holding means of one of said carriers to the holding means of another carrier with the blade reversed edge for edge, manually adjustable means on each carrier for predetermining operation of said transfer means, and means for automatically restoring said last named means to normal.

'7. In-a machine for sharpening safety razor blades, an endles conveyor, means for intermittently advancing same, blades sharpening rollers beneath said conveyor, a series of depending blade carriers on said conveyor, means on each of said carriers for holding safety razor blades thereon in a position to present the blade edge to the sharpening rollers on advance of the conveyor, means for loading a blade in said holding means, means for automatically actuating said holding means to free the blade after it has been sharpened by said sharpening rollers, means embodying said loading means for automatically transferring a blade from the holding means of one of said carriers to the holding means of another carrier, and manually adjustable means on each carrier for predetermining the operation or non-operation of said transfer means.

8. In a razor blade sharpening machine, blade Sharpeners, a series of traveling blade carriers arranged to move blades thereon into contact with said sharpeners, blade engaging jaws on each of said carriers, means for opening said jaws at one point in the travel of the carriers, an oscillatory loading magnet operable to deliver a blade between said jaws when opened, a magnet for temporarily holding a blade between the open jaws,

and means for closing said jaws on the blade delivered therebetween.

9. In a razor blade sharpening machine, blade sharpeners, a series of traveling blade carriers arranged to move blades thereon into contact with said Sharpeners, blade engaging jaws on said carriers, means for opening said jaws, means for temporarily holding a blade between said jaws when opened by said last named means, an oscillatory magnet arranged to swing between a pair of adjacent 'blade carriers and operable to transfer a blade from the jaws of one of said carriers to the jaws of the other carrier, means for temporarily holding the blade between the jaws to which it is delivered by said magnet, and means for closing the jaws on the blade interposed therebetween.

10. In a razor blade sharpening machine, blade Sharpeners, a series of traveling blade carriers ar ranged to move blades thereon into contact with said Sharpeners, blade engaging jaws on said carriers, means for opening said jaws, an oscillatory magnet arranged to swing between a pair of adjacent blacle carriers and operable to transfer a blade from the jaws of one of said carriers to the jaw of the other carrier, and means for closing the jaws on the blade interposed therebetween,

jaw of the other carrier,m'eans for closing the jaws on the blade interposed therebetween, and a pair of electro-magnets'operable'to momentarily retain the blades between the jaws while the latter are open. I a

12. In a razor blade sharpening machine, blade sharpeners, a series of traveling blade carriers arranged to moveblades therein into contact with said sharpeners, blade engaging jaws on said carriers, means for opening said jaws, an 'oscillatory magnet arranged to swing between a pair of adjacent blade carriers and operable to transfer a" blade from the jaws of one of said carriers to the jaw 'of the other carrier, means for closing the jaws on the blade interposedtherebetween, a pair of electro-magnets operable to momentarily retain the blades between the jaws while the latter are open, and a magnet operable toalign a blade interthe first named magnet whereby the blade will be released from the oscillatory magnet and held against the jaw by the other magnet, means operable to close said jaw while the blade is so held, and'means for sharpening blades on said carriers.

14. In a razor blade sharpening machine, a series of traveling blade carriers, blade engaging jaws on said carriers, means for opening said jaws ata point in the travel of said carriers, a fixed electro-magnet arranged to be presented to the back of one of the jaws, on a carrier, an oscillatory electro-magnet operable to deliver a blade to the front of the jaw positionedin front of said first named magnet, means for alternately 'de-energizing the oscillatory magnet and energizing the first named magnet whereby the blade will be released from the oscillatorymagnet and held against the jaw by the other magnet, means operable to close said jaw while the blade is so held, an electro-magnet projecting upwardly from beneath and in front of said fixed magnet operable to align the blade before closing of the jaws thereon, and means for sharpening the blade on the carrier.

15. In a razor blade sharpening machine, a fixed magnet, a series of traveling blade carriers arranged to be successively positioned in front of said magnet, means for feeding a razor blade to a pick-up position, an oscillatory magnet operable to annex a blade from the pick-up position,

and deliver it to the blade carrier in front of said fixed magnet, and in so doing turn the blade from a horizontal to a vertical position, means operable to engage a blade so deposited, and means for sharpening blades while on said carriers.

16. In a razor blade sharpening machine, a fixed magnet, a series of traveling blade carriers arranged to be successively positioned in front of said magnet, means for feeding a razor blade to a pick-up position, an oscillatory magnet operable to annex a blade for the pick-up position, and deliver it to the blade carrier in front of said fixed magnet, and in so doing turn the blade from .a horizontal to a vertical position, means operable to engage a bladev so deposited, a second fixed 'magnet' arranged to be presented to a carrier and operable to hold a blade thereon on release of the blade engaging means, means whereby said oscillatory magnet may be caused to swing and effect removal of the blade held by said second fixed magnet and transfer it to the carrier in front of the first named magnet, and means for sharpening blades while on said carriers.

- 17. In a razor blade sharpening machine havc ing a "series of blade sharpeners, a series of traveling blade holders arranged to carry blades into be alternately presented to anopen and a closed blade'holder, means f'or'rotating said magnet a half revolution simultaneously with the swing of said arm on each stroke thereof; and means for energizing and de-energizing said magnet so that it Will'attach the blade in a blade holder at the opening point and maintain it attached until deposited ina bladeholder at the closing point before the closingthereof.

18. A razorblade sharpening machine comprising a series of blade sharpeners, a series of intermittently traveling blade holders arranged to carry blades into successive contact withthe series of blade Sharpeners, said blade holder comprising a pair of co-a'cting jaws; means for opening said blade holders at one point in their travel; means for closing said blade holders at another point in their travel; an electro-magnet adapted to hold the blade in the holder on opening of the jaws; a blade feeder for advancing a blade to a feeding point, means for actuating said feeder, a swinging feeder arm, and mechanism interchangeably operable to swing said arm between said feeding point and a holder at the closing point at predetermined times and to swing'between a holder at the opening point and a holder at the closing point at other times.

19. A razor blade sharpening machine comprising a series of blade Sharpeners, a series of intermittently traveling blade holders arranged to carry blades into successive contact with the series of rotating Sharpeners, said blade holders v means for closing said jaws at another point in their travel; a blade feeder adapted to position a blade in a pick-up position; a swinging feeder arm; mechanism interchangeably operable to swing said arm between said pick-up position and the jawopening point at predetermined times and to swing it between said jaw opening point and the jaw closing point at other times, said mechanism embodying a revoluble drum having a pair of circumferential chamiels; and means for causing said feeder arm to operate from either one of said channelssaid means, comprising a pair of electro-magnets adapted-to connect said feeder arm with the desired channel and'an operating stem carried by a blade holder with means controlled thereby to cause the desired magnet to become energized at the proper position in the travel of said blade holder.

ing a series of blade sharpeners, a series of intermittently traveling blade holders arranged to carry blades into successive contact with the series of rotating Sharpeners, said blade holders comprising a pair of co-acting jaws; means for opening said jaws at one point in their travel; means for closing said jaws at another point in their travel; a'blade feeder adapted to dispose a blade in a pick-up position; a swinging feeder arm; mechanism interchangeably operable to swing said arm between said pick-up position and said jaw closing point at predetermined times and to swing it between said jaw closing point and said jaw opening point at other times; an electro-magnet on said arm operable to pick-up a blade in the pick-up position and to annex a blade from a holder at said jaw opening point, and means to effect delivery of the blade from the magnet to the holder at said jaw closing point.

21. In a razorblade sharpening machine the combination of a pair of jaws, means for automatically opening and closing said jaws, of an electro-magnet for momentarily retaining ablade between said jaws when said jaws are opened;

. means for engaging said retained blade and removing it from said jaws; means for placing a. second blade in said jaws, a second electro-magnet being adapted to retain said second blade in place until said jaws are closed, and means for sharpening a blade carried by said jaws.

22. In a razor blade sharpening machine, a combination of a pair of jaws, means for automatically opening and closing said jaws, means for removing a blade from between said jaws "1 when said jaws are opened, an electro-magnet arranged to momentarily retain said blade in said jaws after said jaws are opened until said blade is engaged by said jaws; a second electrdmagnetarranged with its direction of attraction,

transversely to that of said electro-magnet and provided with a gauge surface against which its attractive force aligns said blade, and means for sharpening a blade carried by said jawsw 23. In a razor blade sharpening machine, a series of, collectively movable blade carriers, means for sharpening blades on said carriers, a vertical rock-shaft, an arm on said rock-shaft, blade engaging means on said arm, said arm being arranged to swing to present said means first to one of said carriers and then to another, a

toothed wheel on said shaft, a reciprocal rack bar engaging said wheel, and means selectively operable to vary the length of the stroke of said bar whereby said blade engaging means may be caused to swing either from one carrier to another or back and forth between an intermediate point and one of the carriers.

24. In a razor blade sharpening machine, a series of collectively movable blade carriers, means for sharpening blades on said-carriers, a vertical rock-shaft, an arm on said rock-shaft, blade engaging means on said arm, said arm being arranged to swing to present said means first to one of said carriers and then to another, a toothed wheel on said shaft, a reciprocal rack bar engaging said wheel, means selectively operable to vary the length of the stroke of said bar whereby said blade engaging means may be caused to swing either from one carrier to another or back and forth between an intermediate point and one of the carriers, and means operable by movement of said carriers for controlling said last named means.

FRED W. COCHRANE. 

